LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -
Despite an overwhelming advantage on total shots by a 31-4 margin, the UNLV men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 contest to San Jose State in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation action on Sunday afternoon from Peter Johann Memorial Field. The Rebels fell to 4-8-1, 1-2 in league play with the loss, while SJSU took over first place in the Pacific Division with a 2-0-1 mark, 5-4-1 overall.

Of the 16 shots taken in the first half, 15 were by the Rebels, while the one attempt from SJSU resulted in the first goal of the day. The Spartans were sending the ball upfield on the attack, and as it entered the top portion of the box, Rebel goalkeeper Joe Vitale came out to challenge but misplayed the ball. Steven Sanchez was able to kick it away from Vitale, dribbled into the right side of the box and shot over a sliding defender into the far post for the score in the 26th minute.

UNLV kept up the attack in the second half, with a 16-3 edge on shots. The half's first goal would again come from the Spartans though, when Garret Foster slipped past the defense on the right side, received a pass from Thomas Barnes and sent a hard shot through Vitale into the back of the net for a score in the 73rd minute, making it a 2-0 game. The Rebels got onto the scoreboard in the 81st minute after Salvador Bernal drew a penalty kick in the box. Julian Portugal converted the kick for UNLV, his fifth goal in the past six games, to close the edge to 2-1, but the Rebels could not get another shot past the goaline.

Vitale finished with one save on the day, while Emmanuel Espinosa would finish with seven. UNLV's advantage on corner kicks was 7-1, while shots on goal were 8-3 for the Rebels.

The Rebels will return to action on Friday, Oct. 12, with a 3 pm contest at Seattle.